Helen Rogers

About Helen Rogers

Who is it?: Actress, Writer, Director
Birth Year: 1962
Origin: London, England
Genres: Reggae Jazz Funk Soul
Occupation(s): Session singer, songwriter
Instruments: Vocals
Years active: 1978 – present
Associated acts: Direct Drive Paul Hardcastle 7th Heaven

Helen Rogers

Helen Rogers was born on 1962, is Actress, Writer, Director. Helen Rogers is an actress and writer, known for V/H/S (2012), Long Nights Short Mornings (2016) and Body (2015).
Helen Rogers is a member of Actress

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Biography/Timeline

1978

She began singing in 1978 with One Stop Music, an independent South London label specialising in reggae music. After joining Brit funk band Direct Drive as lead vocalist in 1982, Rogers (along with bandmates Pete Quinton, Robert Williams, Mick Ward and Mick Hammond) entered the Black Echoes Top 20 with "In The Middle of Spring" and "Pass The Paper" respectively.

1984

In December 1984 the band released "Anything?" which reached no. 1 in the UK Black Echoes chart, remaining there for six weeks, and crossed over to the UK Singles Chart peaking at no. 67. This occurred after the band had signed to Polydor Records. Direct Drive then released "A.B.C. (Falling in Love's Not Easy)" which also charted peaking at no. 75 in the UK Singles Chart.

1987

Rogers continued to record with Pete Quinton, and provided vocals on two of his songs "Half Chances" and "Shifting Sands", which featured in the 1987 film Sammy and Rosie Get Laid. She also sang with funk band 7th Heaven, and provided vocals on Rory Bremner's spoof cricket version of Paul Hardcastle's "19" ("N-N-Nineteen Not Out" – UK #13). Rogers in addition providing backing vocals to Hardcastle's remix of Third World's "Now That We Found Love", and his version of Junior Walker's "Walk in the Night".

1989

From 1989-90 Rogers worked in the recording studio and undertook some gigs with Lee Fardon and his band. From 1992 onwards Rogers co-wrote and sang lead and backing vocals on Paul Hardcastle's project The Jazzmasters, which resulted in multiple number one hits in Japan and the US. She also wrote and recorded some tracks for Hardcastle's simultaneous eponymous project. Helen recorded five albums with the Jazzmasters plus various compilation albums of hits e.g. "The Smooth Cuts" featuring Helen Rogers.

2003

Returning to her Lovers rock beginnings in 2003, Rogers recorded an album of reggae covers of 1970s pop hits with Black Steel. The duo had previously released a reggae version of "Tracks of My Tears" in 1988, which had reached the Top 10 in Jamaica.

2008

In 2008, Rogers released an EP of songs co-written with Guitarist Tony Qunta, entitled "Eyes Like Midnight", which was a departure in style and featured violin and cello played by Qunta.

2011

In 2011 she wrote and recorded a solo Lovers Rock album with renowned Producer Lindel Lewis.

2015

Helen completed a new solo album in 2015 called "Smooth Jazz Meets Reggae" Skinny Bwoy Records, an independent US label specialising in reggae music. The first single from that album "In the Light" has been released to radio. The full-length album was released on 6 November 2015.

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